Thanks Jack. In theory, that should be the way to shrink felt. Fur felt barbs together differently than wool felt, but more as a matter of degree than a completely different, cause and effect, event. My thought was that a heat gun or hair dryer could accomplish the same thing. Who hasn't shrunk at least one wool garment by putting it in a load of cottons? Heck, it might even be your wife's favorite skirt!
Nice work. Does your block have any taper from the band line to where the radius to the top of the crown begins?
Better ask those who have maybe tried it. My thought would be that a light bulb would be a slower process (if it works) & therefore easier to control. A heat gun might work on your sweat like it does on heat shrink tubing! Everything looks to be working great...then it's too late.
The light bulb method works as it is radiating the heat fairly evenly, and is slow. A hair dryer would shrink where it hits, and no telling what it would do.
I can just see that heat gun now, "Looks good...looks good...whoops!
Etc....setting a wetted hat brim down flattened on top of a warm running dryer works too. It’s a uniform low heat and you can test size and stop anytime.
For the record, I wasn't endorsing the heat gun method. Just saying that it WOULD shrink a felt.
Looks like you got a nice uniform curl there. Nice work.I tried my hand at brim curling last night. This is a .... reverse conversion, maybe?
It's a velour Stetson sovereign I started "westernizing" for my wife, but she doesn't want it. I hope someone does.
I've been meaning to weld up a curling iron and make a wooden curling tolliker to match it. I did this with some bent steel rod and a wood spatula.
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Looks great, Jim!I finally finished this D'Aquino rebuild. When I ordered it, I asked for a 58.5 because my first was a tad snug. It came in closer to a 59 and was more tapered than I requested, so I haven't worn it much. I put it on a #52 last weekend, and was able to get to the finishing steps yesterday.
Original pics in the D'Aquino thread, but I can't believe I don't have a "before" pic of it open crown.
On the block...
And finished out yesterday afternoon. I kept the original ribbon.
All in all, very happy with the results. A big thank you to Terry for an assist and advice.
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I’ve shrunk a few oversized hat bodies so far, and there is a really easy way to do it. Moisten the felt, put it on your smaller block, and then run your string down the block to the bottom. Once you’ve done that, iron the heck out of the crown and it will shrink to fit the block. If you’re using a modern iron, I recommend setting it to the highest setting. The brim will be wrinkly and wavy, but working carefully with plenty of water you’ll be able to shrink that and flatten it as well.
Beautiful.My arthritis has flared up worse than ever before the last few days, which has made trimming the grandchildren's hats a bit painful, and difficult regarding dexterity knotting thread, etc.
Liberty's was done before we flew out, and Molly's now just needs the bow sewn in place.
Here's Lib's, which we're calling the Buccarita.
Molly was stepping on it a few minutes ago, so I decided to get photos before it's too late.
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Nice work Jim. Looks great.I finally finished this D'Aquino rebuild. When I ordered it, I asked for a 58.5 because my first was a tad snug. It came in closer to a 59 and was more tapered than I requested, so I haven't worn it much. I put it on a #52 last weekend, and was able to get to the finishing steps yesterday.
Original pics in the D'Aquino thread, but I can't believe I don't have a "before" pic of it open crown.
On the block...
And finished out yesterday afternoon. I kept the original ribbon.
All in all, very happy with the results. A big thank you to Terry for an assist and advice.
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